Yum! Brands, the global parent company of KFC, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, and its latest concept, Saucy Brand, is joining forces with Optimus Energy Solutions to make EV charging more convenient and delicious. The partnership will bring DC Fast EV charging to Saucy locations, giving drivers the ability to power up their vehicles while grabbing their favorite comfort food. On November 3, 2025, Optimus released the news on PR Newswire.
The new stations will feature ChargePoint’s advanced DC Fast Chargers, designed for reliability, speed, and compatibility with every electric vehicle currently on the market. The rollout begins in 2025, with the first installations planned for Central Florida. From there, the network will expand nationwide, offering EV drivers a convenient new way to refuel both themselves and their vehicles.
“With current fast charging technology, restaurants like those managed by Yum! Brands are perfect to offer EV charging,” says Ben Pauluhn, president & founder, Optimus Energy Solutions. “It takes about 20-30 minutes to charge most electric vehicles with a fast charger, matching the approximate time spent in a Yum! Brand restaurant.”
Optimus Energy Solutions, based in Mount Dora, Florida, is leading the installation and management of the charging network. The company was founded with the goal of making renewable energy and EV charging accessible to individuals and businesses across Florida and the Southeast. In addition to EV infrastructure, Optimus specializes in commercial, municipal, and residential solar PV systems, focusing on long-term performance, maintenance, and investor satisfaction throughout the life of every installation.
With this new collaboration, Yum! Brands and Optimus Energy Solutions are giving a whole new meaning to fast food, charging your EV quickly while you enjoy your meal. For more information about Optimus Energy Solutions and its sustainability initiatives, visit OptimusEnergySolutions.com.
Yum! Operates Some of the World’s Most Recognized Restaurant Brands
Saucy is a new restaurant concept from Yum Brands that centers on chicken tenders and an extensive selection of sauces. The menu features unique beverages and sides, including a novelty “Cake-in-a-Can.” With a vibrant pink, tech-forward aesthetic, the restaurant emphasizes digital ordering, fast service, and streamlined operations. Saucy was developed with a tech-first mindset to deliver an efficient, modern experience for both customers and employees.
Yum! Brands, Inc. (often called simply Yum!) is an American multinational fast food corporation headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky. The company was originally established in 1977 as a subsidiary of PepsiCo, following PepsiCo’s acquisition of three major restaurant chains: KFC, Pizza Hut, and Taco Bell. In 1997, PepsiCo divested its restaurant division, forming a new company called Tricon Global Restaurants. Five years later, after merging with Yorkshire Global Restaurants—the parent company of A&W and Long John Silver’s—the organization rebranded as Yum! Brands, Inc.
Today, Yum! operates some of the world’s most recognized restaurant brands, including KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, and The Habit Burger Grill, as well as several technology-focused subsidiaries that support its growing digital infrastructure. In China, the company’s former operations now function independently as Yum China Holdings, Ltd.
Yum! Brands is among the largest fast food corporations in the world by number of locations. As of 2016, the company operated 43,617 restaurants across 135 countries and territories, with approximately 2,859 company-owned units and 40,758 franchised locations. Because of its origins as a PepsiCo spin-off, Yum! restaurants primarily serve Pepsi beverages rather than Coca-Cola products, with a few regional exceptions such as in New Zealand.
With a global footprint spanning thousands of communities, Yum! continues to lead the fast food industry through brand innovation, digital transformation, and sustainable growth initiatives.
Why EV Charging at Restaurants Is a Smart Investment
Electric vehicle adoption is accelerating at record speed globally, and with it comes rising demand for convenient, reliable charging locations. Restaurants are emerging as one of the most promising venues for EV charging infrastructure, offering a rare combination of high visibility, steady traffic, and natural dwell time. For property owners, operators, and investors, adding EV chargers to restaurant sites is not just a sustainability move; it is a powerful business strategy with measurable returns.
Unlike gas stations or grocery stores, restaurants naturally encourage customers to linger. A typical meal lasts 30 to 60 minutes, which aligns perfectly with the time it takes for most DC fast chargers to add 100 to 200 miles of range. This built-in dwell time maximizes charger utilization and creates a seamless, value-added experience for EV drivers.
EV drivers plan their routes around available charging locations. Restaurants that offer charging become natural destinations, attracting new guests who might not have otherwise stopped in. Over time, these customers develop brand loyalty, choosing to dine where they can conveniently recharge.
Modern charging platforms enable restaurants to earn revenue from every kilowatt-hour sold. Many regions also provide incentives, tax credits, or rebates for businesses that install EV infrastructure, offsetting much of the initial investment cost. Combined, these programs can turn charging stations into profit-generating assets within a few years.
Consumers increasingly prefer businesses that demonstrate sustainability leadership. Installing EV chargers sends a strong message of environmental responsibility, supporting both local communities and broader corporate ESG goals. For national chains and franchises, visible green infrastructure can significantly enhance brand reputation and investor appeal.
By 2030, millions more EVs will be on U.S. roads, and charging infrastructure will need to expand rapidly to meet demand. Restaurants that invest early will secure prime real estate in the EV ecosystem, establishing themselves as preferred charging destinations long before competitors catch up.
EV charging is more than an amenity; it is an investment in customer experience, sustainability, and long-term revenue growth. Restaurants occupy the perfect niche for this evolving market, a place where people already stop, stay, and spend. As dining and driving habits continue to electrify, those who install chargers today are positioning their businesses for the future of transportation.
EVinfo.net’s Take: Restaurants Are Only One Out of Many Possible EV Charging Locations
EVinfo.net congratulates Yum! Brands for it’s forward-thinking and smart decision to install EV charging, and for choosing great company Optimus. Yum’s restaurants thereby gain an advantage over competitors who do not offer EV charging, as the number of EV drivers in North America and the world grow daily.
EVinfo.net recently reported on a new partnership between IONNA’s EV charging and Casey’s, one of the nation’s largest convenience store and pizza chains. Additionally, BP Pulse, BP’s EV charging division, partnered with Waffle House. There are many more examples of smart restaurant owners and managers adding EV charging.
EV charging can be installed at almost any property with reliable access to electricity. See the list below. One great EV charging company serving multi-unit housing, workplace, government, and more is Liberty Plugins.
Common property types perfect for EV charging include:
Residential
- Single-family homes (garages, driveways)
- Multi-unit dwellings (apartments, condos, townhomes)
- Homeowners association communities
Commercial
- Office buildings
- Retail centers, malls, strip centers
- Grocery stores and big-box retailers
- Hotels, motels, resorts
Fleet & Industrial
- Distribution centers and warehouses
- Fleet depots (delivery vans, trucks, corporate vehicles)
- Municipal or government fleet facilities
- Rental car facilities
Transportation & Mobility
- Public parking lots and garages
- Airports (short- and long-term parking)
- Train and bus stations
- Park-and-ride commuter lots
- Ports and logistics hubs
Hospitality & Entertainment
- Restaurants and fast food (QSR and sit-down)
- Movie theaters and entertainment complexes
- Stadiums and arenas
- Gyms, fitness centers, golf courses
Education & Institutional
- Schools, colleges, and universities
- Libraries
- Hospitals, medical campuses
Public & Government
- City halls, courthouses
- Police and fire stations
- Community centers and parks
Energy & Transportation Infrastructure
- Gas stations and convenience stores
- Highway travel centers / truck stops
